U.S. patent application number 14/143029 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for safety strap for truck tailgate ramps.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stephen St. Jean. Invention is credited to Stephen St. Jean.
Application Number | 20140182087 14/143029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51015526 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140182087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
St. Jean; Stephen |
July 3, 2014 |
Safety Strap for Truck Tailgate Ramps
Abstract
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect
thereof, is a safety strap device that reduces the likelihood that
a tailgate ramp will prematurely detach or disengage from a vehicle
during the loading or unloading of an article via the tailgate
ramp. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
safety strap device comprises a strap portion with a first end, an
opposing second end, a block portion with an opening therein and
more than one fastener for attaching said strap portion to both a
prior art tailgate ramp on one end and the block portion on the
other end. In a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, said safety strap device is adjustable to accommodate a
wide variety or user applications, truck ramps and vehicles.
Inventors: |
St. Jean; Stephen;
(Otonabee, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
St. Jean; Stephen |
Otonabee |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
51015526 |
Appl. No.: |
14/143029 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61748146 |
Jan 2, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/298 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0823 20130101;
B60P 1/435 20130101; Y10T 24/31 20150115; Y10T 24/318 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/298 |
International
Class: |
B60P 7/08 20060101
B60P007/08 |
Claims
1. A safety strap device comprising: a strap portion having a first
end and a second end; a block portion; and a first fastener for
securing the strap portion to said block portion.
2. The safety strap device of claim 1 further comprising a second
fastener for securing said strap portion to a tailgate ramp.
3. The safety strap device of claim 1 wherein said strap portion
further comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings therein.
4. The safety strap device of claim 1 wherein said first end of
said strap portion further comprises a first plurality of spaced
apart openings therein.
5. The safety strap device of claim 4 wherein said second end of
said strap portion further comprises a second plurality of spaced
apart openings therein.
6. The safety strap device of claim 1 wherein said block portion is
inserted into a gap created between a vehicle bed and a vehicle
tailgate.
7. The safety strap device of claim 1 wherein said strap portion is
adjustable in length.
8. The safety strap device of claim 3 wherein the distance between
each of said plurality of spaced apart openings is between 1 and
11/2 inches.
9. A safety strap device for attaching a tailgate ramp to a vehicle
comprising: a strap portion having a first end and a second end; a
block portion, wherein said block portion is positioned in a gap
created between a vehicle bed and a vehicle tailgate; a first
fastener for securing the first end of said strap portion to said
block portion; and a second fastener for securing the second end of
said strap portion to said tailgate ramp.
10. The safety strap device of claim 9 wherein said strap portion
further comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings therein.
11. The safety strap device of claim 9 wherein said first end of
said strap portion further comprises a first plurality of spaced
apart openings therein.
12. The safety strap device of claim 11 wherein said second end of
said strap portion further comprises a second plurality of spaced
apart openings therein.
13. The safety strap device of claim 9 wherein said strap portion
is adjustable in length.
14. The safety strap device of claim 12 wherein said strap portion
is adjustable in length by inserting said first fastener into a
select one of said first plurality of spaced apart openings and by
further inserting said second fastener into a select one of said
second plurality of spaced apart openings.
15. The safety strap device of claim 10 wherein the distance
between each of said plurality of spaced apart openings is between
1 and 11/2 inches.
16. The safety strap device of claim 10 wherein at least one of
said plurality of spaced apart openings is reinforced.
17. A safety strap device for attaching a tailgate ramp to a
vehicle comprising: a strap portion having a first end and a second
end; a block portion that can be removably attached to said first
end with a first fastener; and wherein said second end of said
strap portion can be removably attached to said tailgate ramp with
a second fastener.
18. The safety strap device of claim 17 wherein said strap portion
further comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings therein.
19. The safety strap device of claim 17 wherein said strap portion
is adjustable in length.
20. The safety strap device of claim 18 wherein the distance
between each of said plurality of spaced apart openings is between
1 and 11/2 inches and wherein at least one of said plurality of
spaced apart openings is reinforced with a ring.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/748,146 filed on Jan. 2, 2013.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a safety strap device for
temporarily securing a tailgate ramp to a tailgate of a vehicle,
such as a pickup truck. The unique design of the safety strap
device reduces the likelihood that the tailgate ramp will
prematurely disengage from the tailgate.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many individuals own vehicles such as trucks with beds, and
use said vehicles to haul or transport articles, such as all
terrain vehicles, motorcycles, tractors, lawnmowers, and virtually
any other type of article that will fit in a truck bed. However,
one difficulty in transporting such articles is loading and/or
unloading the article into the elevated truck bed, which can be
both time-consuming and dangerous.
[0004] One device known in the art for assisting an individual to
load and/or unload an article into a truck bed is a tailgate ramp.
Most tailgate ramps extend at an angle between the ground surface
and the elevated tailgate, and are useful for driving or pushing an
article from the ground surface, up the tailgate ramp, and into the
truck bed. Likewise, the tailgate ramp may also be used to assist
an individual to drive or push an article from the truck bed (or
other elevated surface), down the tailgate ramp, and onto the
ground surface.
[0005] Notwithstanding the above stated benefits of tailgate ramps,
one problem commonly associated with the use of a tailgate ramp is
the tendency of the ramp to prematurely detach from the vehicle
during the loading and/or unloading of the article, which can be
dangerous and cause serious injury to the user and significant
damage to the article being loaded/unloaded and/or the vehicle.
[0006] Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a
safety strap device that can be used to temporarily, but securely,
attach a prior art tailgate ramp to a vehicle, such as a pickup
truck with a tailgate. There also exists in the art a long felt
need for a safety strap device that is adjustable to accommodate a
wide variety of tail gate ramps, vehicles and possible
applications. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a safety strap
device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and that is
relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to
use.
[0007] The present invention provides vehicle owners (e.g., pick-up
truck owners) with a quick and safe way to mount and secure
tailgate ramps to a tailgate, and reduces the likelihood that the
ramps will prematurely detach from the tailgate during use. The
present invention also reduces the amount of time it takes to set
up the tailgate ramps, and the likelihood that the safety strap
device will be misplaced or lost when not in use.
SUMMARY
[0008] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed
innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is
not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that
is presented later.
[0009] The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one
aspect thereof, is a safety strap device that reduces the
likelihood that a tailgate ramp will prematurely detach or
disengage from a vehicle (e.g., during the loading or unloading of
an article via the tailgate ramp), which can be dangerous and
result in serious injury or death to the user, as well as
significant property damage to the vehicle and/or article being
loaded/unloaded. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the safety strap device comprises a strap portion with a
first end, an opposing second end, a block portion with an opening
therein and more than one fastener for attaching said strap portion
to both the prior art tailgate ramp on one end and the block
portion on the other end. In a further preferred embodiment of the
present invention, said safety strap device is adjustable to
accommodate a wide variety of user applications, truck ramps and
vehicles. Finally, the safety strap device is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.
[0010] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are
described herein in connection with the following description and
the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but
a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein
can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and
their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become
apparent from the following detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the safety strap
device of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of one end of
the safety strap device of the present invention attached to a
portion of a prior art tailgate/truck bed.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an opposite end of
the safety strap device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2
attached to a prior art tailgate ramp rung.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the safety strap
device of the present invention attached to a prior art vehicle and
a prior art tailgate ramp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The innovation is now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident,
however, that the innovation can be practiced without these
specific details.
[0016] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
perspective view of the safety strap device 100 of the present
invention. Safety strap device 100 is preferably comprised of a
strap portion 110, a block portion 150 and at least one fastener
170. Strap portion 110 is an elongated strip of material comprised
of a first end 112, a second end 114, a top surface 116, a bottom
surface 118 and opposing side portions 119. Strap portion 110 is
preferably comprised of nylon, though it is contemplated that other
durable materials such as cloth, polypropylene and the like could
also be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the overall length of strap portion 110, as measured between first
end 112 and second end 114, is preferably between 30 and 38 inches,
the overall width of strap portion 110, as measured between
opposing sides 119, is preferably between 13/4 and 21/4 inches, and
the overall thickness of strap portion 110, as measured between top
surface 116 and bottom surface 118, is preferably between 1/16 and
1/4 of an inch. Nonetheless, it is contemplated that other sizes
and dimensions could also be used to suit user preference or a
particular application without affecting the overall concept of the
present invention.
[0017] Strap portion 110 further comprises a plurality of spaced
apart continuous openings 120 therein. Each of continuous openings
120 is preferably between 3/16 and 5/16 of an inch in diameter, and
extends between top surface 116 and bottom surface 118. In a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, strap portion 110 is
comprised of between four and six continuous openings 120 spaced
apart at approximately 1 to 11/2 inch intervals near first end 112,
and an additional four to six continuous openings 120 spaced apart
at approximately 1 to 11/2 inch intervals near second end 114. Of
course, it is also contemplated that a greater or lesser number of
continuous openings 120 may be located along strap portion 110, and
at equal or varying intervals, to suit user preference and/or a
particular application. Continuous openings 120 may also be
reinforced by any means commonly known in the art (e.g., with a
metal ring positioned along the circumference of the opening) to
add additional strength to continuous openings 120 and safety strap
device 100.
[0018] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, block portion 150 is a
generally rectangular structure comprised of a top 152, a bottom
154, opposing sides 156, an inboard surface 158 and an outboard
surface 159. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the overall height of block portion 150, as measured between top
152 and bottom 154, is preferably between 21/2 and 31/2 inches, the
overall width of block portion 150, as measured between opposing
sides 156, is preferably between 13/4 and 21/4 inches, and the
overall thickness of block portion 150, as measured between inboard
surface 158 and outboard surface 159 is preferably between 1/2 and
one inch. Nonetheless, it is contemplated that other sizes and
dimensions could also be used to suit user preference or a
particular application without affecting the overall concept of the
present invention. Top 152 of block portion 150 further comprises a
threaded opening 160 therein for receipt of fastener 170, as
described more fully below. Block portion 150 is preferably
comprised of a durable material such as plastic, though it is
contemplated that other materials, such as rubber, wood and the
like, could also be used without affecting the overall concept of
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of safety
strap device 100 of the present invention attached to a prior art
vehicle 200. More specifically, prior art vehicle 200 is comprised
of a truck bed 210, a tailgate 220 and a gap or opening 225 that
exists between truck bed 210 and tailgate 220 when tailgate 220 is
in an open position, as shown in FIG. 2. To properly install safety
strap device 100 onto vehicle 200, a user (not shown) will insert
block 150 into gap 225 such that outboard surface 159 faces in the
general direction of tailgate 220 and opening 160 is visible and
accessible to the user atop block portion 150. The user would then
insert fastener 170 through a selectable one of continuous openings
120 located near first end 112 of strap portion 110 and into
threaded opening 160. Fastener 170 can be any type of fastener
commonly known in the art for fastening two objects together, such
as a threaded bolt. In this manner, first end 112 of strap portion
110 may be removably attached to vehicle 200.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial perspective view of an opposite
end of the safety strap device of the present invention attached to
a prior art tailgate ramp 250. Prior art tailgate ramps 250 are
well known in the art and are typically comprised of two spaced
apart rails 252 connected to one another by a plurality of spaced
apart rungs 254, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, or a continuous
plank (not shown). To properly install safety strap device 100 onto
prior art tailgate ramp 250, a user (not shown) may install an
opening 256 in a select one or more of rungs 254 for receipt of a
fastener 170. The user would then insert a fastener 170 through a
selectable one of continuous openings 120 located near second end
114 of strap portion 110 and into opening 256 in prior art ramp
rung 254. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 3, second end 114 of
strap portion 110 may be wrapped around a ramp rung 254 and
fastened with fastener 170. As previously mentioned, fastener 170
can be any type of fastener commonly known in the art for fastening
two objects together, such as a threaded bolt, and opening 256 is
preferably also threaded to accommodate fastener 170. In this
manner, second end 114 of strap portion 110 may be removably
attached to a prior art tailgate ramp 250.
[0021] Having now described the overall structure of safety strap
device 100, the use and usefulness of the same will now be
summarized. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of safety strap
device 100 of the present invention attached to both a prior art
vehicle 200 on the one end and to a prior art tailgate ramp 250 on
the opposite end. As explained more fully below, safety strap
device 100 significantly reduces the likelihood that tailgate ramp
250 will prematurely detach or disengage from vehicle 200 during
the loading or unloading of an article via tailgate ramp 250. The
premature detachment of tailgate ramp 250 from vehicle 200 during
the loading/unloading process can result in serious injury or death
to the user, and significant damage to the article being
loaded/unloaded, the vehicle and/or the tailgate ramps, all of
which is highly undesirable.
[0022] More specifically, safety strap device 100 is attached to a
vehicle 200 by inserting block portion 150 into gap 225, and
removably attaching first end 112 of strap portion 110 to said
block portion 150 by inserting a first fastener 170 through a
selectable one of continuous openings 120 located near first end
112 of strap portion 110 and into threaded opening 160 of block
portion 150. Because a user (not shown) has multiple continuous
openings 120 to select from, safety strap device 100 is adjustable
and capable of accommodating a wide variety of truck bed/tailgate
combinations and applications. Once safety strap device 100 is
securely attached to vehicle 200, further lateral movement of strap
portion 110 in the direction of tailgate ramp 250 is prohibited by
block portion 150, which is wedged in gap 225 between truck bed 210
and tailgate 220.
[0023] In a similar fashion, a user (not shown) may temporarily
attach the second end 114 of strap portion 110 to a prior art
tailgate ramp 250 by inserting a second fastener 170 through a
selectable one of continuous openings 120 located near second end
114 of strap portion 110 and into opening 256 in prior art ramp
rung 254. When attaching safety strap device 100 to tailgate ramp
250, the user should eliminate as much slack as possible in the
length of strap portion 110 between the fastener 170 used to
connect the device 100 to the vehicle 200 and the fastener 170 used
to connect the opposite end of device 100 to prior art tailgate
ramp 250. Of course, safety strap device 100 could also be
installed by first installing the second end 114 of strap portion
110 to prior art tailgate ramp 250, and then installing block
portion 150 into gap 225 and attaching first end 112 of strap
portion 110 thereto in the manner described above. Further, once an
article (not shown) has been successfully loaded/unloaded into or
from vehicle 200, a user can quickly remove safety strap device 100
from the vehicle 200 and prior art tailgate ramps by removing each
of fasteners 170, and removing block portion 150 from gap 225.
Alternatively, the user may elect to keep the safety strap device
100 attached to prior art tailgate ramp 250 to reduce the
likelihood that device 100 will become lost or misplaced when not
in use. In a similar fashion, the user may also elect to leave
block portion 150 attached to first end 112 of strap portion 110
via fastener 170.
[0024] Consequently, the various embodiments of safety strap device
100 of the present invention described herein are useful for
reducing the likelihood that a tailgate ramp 250 will prematurely
detach or disengage from vehicle 200 during the loading or
unloading of an article via tailgate ramp 250. The safety strap
device 100 of the present invention is also adjustable to suit a
wide variety of tailgate/tailgate ramp combinations and
applications. Finally, safety strap device 100 is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.
[0025] Other variations are within the spirit of the present
invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated
embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the
appended claims.
[0026] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together,
even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of
referring individually to each separate value falling within the
range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be
construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice of the invention.
[0027] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *